Dynamo record first clean sheet of season

Houston Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas (9) celebrates after scoring a goal in the second half during the MLS game between the Real Salt Lake and the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, TX on Saturday, March 2, 2019. The game ended with a score of 1-1.

Houston Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas (9) celebrates after scoring a goal in the second half during the MLS game between the Real Salt Lake and the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, TX on

Houston Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas (9) celebrates after scoring a goal in the second half during the MLS game between the Real Salt Lake and the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, TX on Saturday, March 2, 2019. The game ended with a score of 1-1.

Houston Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas (9) celebrates after scoring a goal in the second half during the MLS game between the Real Salt Lake and the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, TX on

After a disappointing trip to Los Angeles, the Houston Dynamo returned home – and quickly returned to form.

Forward Mauro Manotas snapped a four-match scoreless streak, and the Dynamo bounced back from their first loss with a 2-0 win over the Columbus Crew on Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium.

"We came out with personality, we came out similar," Dynamo coach Wilmer Cabrera said. "We haven't changed, and that's the most important thing. We don't want to change.

"Winning, losing or tying, we have to be solid – we have to be the same."

The win sent the Dynamo to 5-1-1, with 16 points, in front of 15,557 fans.

Both teams entered the match with 13 points, leaving them in fifth place in their respective conferences. But the Crew's record included three more losses – now four – all in the last two weeks after they also started the season 4-1-1. They've been outscored 7-1 in the four-match losing streak.

The Dynamo were coming off a 2-1 loss to the Galaxy, who received a Diego Polenta goal in the 85th minute. But after waiting until the second half to find a goal in L.A., they struck early at home.

Alberth Elis' aggressive play was the catalyst.

After a giveaway by the Crew (4-5-1), the Honduran beat his man on the right side, then delivered a pass to Manotas, who was able to get just enough of his right foot on the ball as he flashed by to deliver a third-minute goal – his first in Major League Soccer play since March 9 against Montreal.

"When you score in the third minute of the game, it's always positive," Cabrera said.

Manotas nearly added a second goal less than a minute later, but Crew keeper Zach Steffen delivered a diving save.

The 23-year-old has three goals and four assists this season.

"(Manotas) wasn't scoring (the previous four matches), but he was assisting, which is something he wasn't used to doing, so he's growing," Cabrera said. "He's getting more mature, and (Saturday) he scored, and also had three or more chances, where he could have had a hat trick in the first half."

Still, the damage was done – just like the last time Columbus visited Compass.

Romell Quioto tallied in the second minute in that March 11, 2017 match, Elis scored in the 35th minute, and the Dynamo rolled to a 3-1 win. This time, an Elis assist – his fifth of the year – sparked the scoring.

The Dynamo attempted four more shots in the first 45 minutes, and six more in the box, but still led 1-0 at the break.

"We knew we couldn't give them the ball the whole time, otherwise they're going to get motivated, and they're talented, and so they're going to be feeling comfortable," Cabrera said. "We did a good job of trying to apply pressure, trying to alternate the pressure, high pressure, with also trying to move the ball."

The Dynamo looked to add to their lead in the 51st minute.

The Crew's Waylon Francis drew a yellow card after taking down Tomas Martinez 20 yards out, setting up a direct kick just outside the penalty box, but Memo Rodriguez's attempt bounced off the crossbar.

Not to worry – another chance bounced their way 3 minutes later.

After Steffen came off his line to knock away a Manotas shot across the goal from the right side, Martinez slammed home the rebound with a left foot for a 2-0 advantage in the 55th minute.

"That gave us the confidence to finish the game," Cabrera said.

"We closed the game very well. It was important for us to close the game, to feel like we can have a clean sheet – the first one of the season – so that is also very positive for us, especially for the boys."

The Dynamo have allowed only eight goals through seven matches.

Joe Willis supplied four saves, including one fully extended in the 79th minute, and the Dynamo staved off 11 corner kicks.

"We are getting more solid defensively," Cabrera said. "We are playing more with the same guys, and they're getting to know each other.

"So far, we've been conceding too many goals on PKs, set pieces, and (Saturday) we received some corners, but we were sharp. We were good, and that is important, because we're making adjustments."